YOUNGSTERS in Redditch are being warned they could get a criminal record after a number of car badges were stolen.

A badge was taken from a Mini Cooper in a road off Home Meadow Lane and an Audi badge was removed from a car at the same property a few days later.

A police spokesman said: "Those involved may look upon it as a just a bit of fun but they could not be more wrong.

"It may be that some victims will either not notice the missing badges or will simply replace them without reporting the matter to the police, but we will treat any such incidents reported to us very seriously.

"Parents are asked to remind their children that this is not a game - it creates expense and inconvenience for the owner of the car and it may lead to arrest for theft and criminal damage, and even a criminal record."